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Shepherd rubbishes Carr link

By Mark Kendall

Last Updated: 01/01/70 1:00am

NEWCASTLE UNITED chairman Freddy Shepherd has dismissed claims that the club have agreed a £4.5 million fee with Tottenham for Stephen Carr.

It had been reported that the Magpies were poised to commence talks with the Republic of Ireland international defender, but Shepherd insisted such talk was wide of the mark, branding it 'total fantasy'.

"I sign the cheques at Newcastle and can categorically state there is no deal for Carr. It's absolute nonsense," said the Magpies' supremo.

"Spurs have not contacted me about Carr and I have had no conversations with them.

"The deal is total fantasy," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Newcastle winger Laurent Robert is thought to be unsettled on Tyneside after reports suggesting he could be used as bait to tempt his former club PSG into parting with Ronaldinho.

The French winger's agent Willie McKay insisted that every player had his place, but added that the Frenchman was still prepared to see out his current deal at St James' Park.

"If someone comes in with the right price, the player is sold," said McKay.

"We are seeing that with David Beckham. But Laurent wants to see out his contract at Newcastle."